Members in the News
Athens Pride & Queer Collective Names First Executive Director
Athens Pride & Queer Collective Names First Executive Director Athens, GA — Athens Pride and Queer Collective (APQC) is thrilled to announce the hiring of its first-ever Executive Director, Elliot Williamson, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s growth and commitment to inclusive, community-rooted leadership in Athens and Northeast Georgia. Williamson, a First Honor Graduate and Foundation Fellow from the University of Georgia, brings an extraordinary blend of academic
Moms Adopting Moms
&##128227; Now Seeking Our Next Board Chair — Moms Adopting Moms Moms Adopting Moms, Inc. is a growing, community-focused nonprofit dedicated to helping biological mothers reunite with their children and thrive beyond reunification. We are seeking a dedicated, community-minded Board Chair to help guide our mission and expand our impact across Northeast Georgia. If you believe in second chances, strengthening families, and building bridges between foster and biological families, we’d love to connect with
Leanne Morgan is Coming to Akins Ford Arena on August 20th
LEANNE MORGAN ADDS A STOP IN ATHENS, GA TO HER NATIONAL HEADLINING TOUR “JUST GETTING STARTED” AFTER NETFLIX SPECIAL BREAKTHROUGH, COMEDY POWERHOUSE CONTINUES TO SELL OUT ARENAS ACROSS THE U.S. TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 27 AT 10:00 a.m. at AKINSFORDARENA.COMATHENS, GA – Comedy sensation Leanne Morgan is on a meteoric rise with her wildly successful national headlining tour, Just Getting Started. Following the massive success of her critically acclaimed Netflix special, I’m Every Woman, Morgan has
THE INTERNATIONAL IRISH DANCE PHENOMENON WILL TOUR ACROSS NORTH AMERICA TO OVER 40 CITIES, INCLUDING
THE INTERNATIONAL IRISH DANCE PHENOMENON WILL TOUR ACROSS NORTH AMERICA TO OVER 40 CITIES, INCLUDING ATHENS, GA.ATHENS, GA – June 24, 2025 — Abhann Productions is thrilled to announce that Riverdance will launch a brand new North American tour, Riverdance 30 – The New Generation, that will visit The Classic Center Theatre in Athens, GA, on February 12, 2026.Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at ClassicCenter.comRiverdance 30 – The New Generation rejuvenates the
Summer Just Got Cooler: Ice Skate inside Akins Ford Arena this July
Summer Just Got Cooler: Ice Skate inside Akins Ford Arena this July ATHENS, GA – July 1, 2025 — Looking for a cool way to beat the summer heat? Akins Ford Arena is opening its doors for indoor ice skating for a limited time this month! From July 17- 20, 2025, visitors of all ages can enjoy a unique opportunity to lace up their skates and hit the ice. Escape the sweltering Georgia heat and step into a cool, icy escape, right in the heart of Athens. The arena's state-of-the-art ice rink offers a fun,
Scrappy, Smart, and Digital: Crafting a Lean Marketing Plan That Works
Digital marketing on a tight budget is the modern business equivalent of running a marathon in flip-flops—possible, but only if the strategy is sharp. While large companies pour millions into ad campaigns and influencer deals, small businesses and solo ventures often need to get creative just to stay in the race. That doesn’t mean quality must suffer; it just means each move needs to be deliberate. The difference between waste and return is often in the details, and there are clever, less obvious ways to
UGA-Community Partnership Recognized by International Town & Gown Association
UGA-Community Partnership Recognized by International Town & Gown AssociationWednesday, June 18th, 2025At this year’s International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) conference, the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) was honored with the 2025 Presidential Excellence Award, highlighting the organization’s multifaceted collaboration with the University of Georgia and dedication to supporting thousands of seniors in Athens and beyond. “We are incredibly grateful to have such a strong partnership with the
Marissa Chastain of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Graduates from Institute for Organization Management
Marissa Chastain of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Graduates from Institute for Organization Management A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Marissa Chastian, IOM, Vice President of Operations of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded
Nourishing Neighbors – Neighbor Survey Results: A Community Breakfast
You’re invited to hear about the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia’s 2025 Neighbor Survey, completed in partnership with Athens Wellbeing Project. Please join us for a meal that matters. Listen to what our neighbors say about their experience of food insecurity, and explore how we can respond with collaborative and compassionate action. A hot breakfast will be catered by Mama's Boy. thanks to Jackson EMC for sponsoring this community event. Location: The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia 890 Newton Bridge Rd
Historian and Novelist Stephen T. Jackson Debuts First Two Books of The Preston Chronicles
ATHENS, GA (June, 16, 2025) – Georgia native and historian Stephen T. Jackson will launch the first two installments of his trilogy, The Preston Chronicles, a sweeping tale of power, politics, and Southern legacy, with a murderous twist.Inspired by Stephen’s family history, the first two books, Murder and the Silent Coupand Murder for the Greater Good, published by Palmetto Publishing, will be celebrated at a special book launch eventfeaturing Athens Mayor Kelly Girtzon July8at the historic Taylor-Grady
The Classic Center Cultural Foundation Launches ''A Heart for Art'' Summer Donation Drive
The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is proud to introduce its newest community initiative, “A Heart for Art,” running from June 1 through August 1, 2025. This summer-long program invites the public to donate art supplies that will be distributed to Clarke County Elementary Schools for use in student creative projects throughout the upcoming school year. The “A Heart for Art” donation drive supports the Cultural Foundation’s mission to provide and support diverse performing, visual, and culinary arts
Athens-based wealth management firm Fully Financial adds Ryan Rasmussen, CFP® as Financial Planner
ATHENS, GEORGIA — Fully Financial, a fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Athens, Georgia, is proud to announce that Ryan Rasmussen, CFP® recently joined the firm as a Financial Planner. Rasmussen holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s financial planning program (2017). Before joining Fully Financial, Ryan served as the assistant director of gift and estate planning for the University of Georgia, where he helped families and their
Dr. Christopher Ward named St. Mary's Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Christopher Ward, MD, MBA, FACEP, CPE, has been named Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of St. Mary’s Health Care System, including its hospitals in Athens, Lavonia and Greensboro, effective Monday, April 14, 2025. Dr. Ward brings more than 30 years of progressive clinical and leadership experience to his new role with St. Mary’s. Most recently, he served as CMO for several hospitals in the Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio, Texas, a unique joint venture between HCA and Methodist Healthcare
Rock Icons ZZ Top Bring Elevation Tour to the Classic Center Theater In Athens, GA In October 2025
ATHENS, GA – April 15, 2025—Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top will bring their 2025 Elevation Tour, presented by CHMF Entertainment to The Classic Center Theatre in Athens, GA on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. at ClassicCenter.com. “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” has been at it for well over a half century, delivering rock, blues and boogie on the road and in the studio to millions of devoted fans. With iconography as distinctive as their sound, ZZ Top
COLE SWINDELL Happy Hour Sad Tour with special guests: Priscilla Block & Logan Crosby
COLE SWINDELL Happy Hour Sad Tour with special guests: Priscilla Block & Logan Crosby Akins Ford Arena Friday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 11, at 10:00 a.m. ATHENS, GA – April 7, 2025-- Multi-Platinum selling and award-winning superstar Cole Swindell will bring his 2025 headlining Happy Hour Sad Tour to Akins Ford Arena on Friday, September 19, produced by Pepper Entertainment. Joining the four-time ACM Award winner on his Happy Hour Sad Tour are special guests Priscilla
See Tom Segura’s Come Together Tour at The Classic Center Theatre Friday, August 29
ATHENS, GA – February 4, 2025—Tom Segura, announced additional 2025 dates for his global stand-up comedy tour Tom Segura: Come Together, hitting The Classic Center Theatre on Friday, August 29. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m. at ClassicCenter.com Segura’s highly anticipated new hour of comedy kicked off last year and has been selling out with stops across Asia and North America. "This is the most fun I've had on tour, and I'm excited to continue touring this hour of material to a
Georgia Leaders Selected for 2025 GeorgiaForward Young Gamechangers Cohort
ATLANTA – GeorgiaForward has selected 49 promising young leaders to serve the organization’s 2025 Young Gamechangers (YG) program. YG is a unique leadership action program hosted by GeorgiaForward, a non-profit organization administrated by the Georgia Municipal Association. Young Gamechangers brings professionals from across the state to work on the persistent challenges of one Georgia community. In 2025, the City of Athens and Clarke County will host the Young Gamechangers. Local leaders have
Gavin Adcock to Headline Akins Ford Arena When the Need to Tour Stops in Athens, GA
ATHENS, GA - February 3, 2025: Country music sensation Gavin Adcock is set to bring his electrifying performance to Akins Ford Arena in Athens, GA on October 17, 2025, as part of his Need To Tour. A Georgia native from Watkinsville, Adcock transitioned from a promising football career at Georgia Southern University to the country music scene after a knee injury in 2021. Channeling his energy into songwriting and recording during his recovery, he released his debut single, marking the beginning of a

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